rufous necked Hornbill, having habitat on north eastern part of India along with Bhutan.
WildLancer team found the couple during our trip on Latpancher village on northern part of West Bengal under Kalinpong district.
One can easily differentiate male from female with their reddish-brown head ,neck and under part.
Having pale yellow bill with few vertical ridges on the upper mandible, rufous necked hornbill was looking astounding when we were glued to our cameras and then while observing with naked eyes.Like other hornbills, this one also monogamous & have one lifetime partner.
When we visited Latpanchar, it was nesting time, and we have eyeful of the spectacular sight when female enters the nest first to have proper cleaning and then seal herself from inside with droppings ,mud and fruit pulp leaving a small slit open to transfer food as well as to protect her cheeks from raptors or snakes or other threats. The nests are carefully chosen and usually identified as natural holes in old ,tall, wide girthed trees in the tropical and subtropical forests.
Over the next few months, the male performs arduous task of bringing food items to the nest for female and her chicks.To save time and storing foods, the male store food in their throat pouch and regurgitate to transfer it to the female. The consume mainly fruits animals, insects even lizards.
Female remain inside the nest for about 3 months and then break open the seal to exit with grown chicks & may use the same nest for next few consecutive seasons.
The conservation challenge remains of these near threaten species due to cutting old fruiting and nesting trees, deforestation, habitat fragmentation, hunting for food and beak.
What we have observed, villagers in Latpanchar aware on the conservation mechanism and why conservation is immensely important; the effort for having the spectacular species & biodiversity on earth & this effort results in keeping the huge inflow on bird enthusiasts towards this village & surroundings, thus making steady earning out of the conservation effort.
We sincerely hope Latpanchar will lead the conservation effort of India’s huge biodiversity.